Cremation for a King

UBUD

Didn’t know Bali had a King, did you? Apparently he passed away either in August or about a month ago.  I do know that November 2nd was the day deemed the best day in Bali to hold a Cremation Ceremony fit for a King. 

This story is pieced together from several sources but can’t guarantee accuracy.  Entertaining feast if not for the photographs then at least the ritual and symbolism and pomp and circumstance.

Please note: with thousands and thousands of people in attendance, in many cases clear shot photos were a challenge.

Three gigantic structures were built for the ceremony: 

the tower,

the dragon,

and the bull.

The processional began in the center of UBUD with over a thousand chosen men to carry these structures to the cemetery.

Prior to the statue arrivals came the high priest, the royal family, gamelan musician and various escorts who parade through the crowd three times.

grand daughter of the deceased king

daughter-in-law of the king

Kings honored guardsmen

parade of offerings

gamelan musicians

The bull finally arrives(after 3 hours of sitting) first flocked by what Bill and Linda from Longview sitting next to me, as the pallbearers.  Dell, Linda’s brother has a place in Bali an comes often. We met first sitting at another location and they invited me to move with them as information from a local described another location to be prime viewing.

Bill and Linda

Dell on the right

Moving this statue was a bit of problem, especially when you’ve got a hundred or so men carrying the bamboo foundation.  There seemed to have been several leaders  shouting orders though the one with the microphone had the attention of most.  Bill felt at any moment in his heated “go away, go away, walk, walk, move!” that we’d hear a “goal” in there for sure.  He sounded much like he was anchoring a championship soccer match for sure!

"goal, Goal, GOAL!"

The dragon and the tower carrying the casket follow situated next to the scaffolding on which men will transport the ornately decorating casket.

Next the casket is removed from the tower, brought down the scaffolding and parades through the crowd three times then awaits for the final resting place to be prepared.

casket unsecured and starts its journey to the bull

casket coming down

round and round the casket goes

They prepare the bull statue by removing the tail and quarter section which has a prepared coffin inside into which they slide the King’s body into after preparing his personal bed coverings etc.  Final offering are made, final goodbyes…

body is transferred into the casket within the bull

offerings place in the bull with the body

At this point the all three structures are lit, burned and the celebration will continue into the night and the next few days.

I was entertained throughout the day by vendors, the kids next to me, what they were eating, the crowd and of course, Bill and Linda.   Enjoy!

the only man carrying his wares on his head!

he's making Balinese spring rolls with sauce

check out his pizza...it's technicolor.